Before I start rambling away about new year’s resolutions, intentions or goals and whatever we may now call them, let me begin by sharing my personal news:

I made it. I crossed the finish line of my Master’s degree after two years, now proudly calling myself a graduate of the ANU Master of Climate Change (insert global warming joke here).

I am allowed to show off, am I not? I was smiling ear to ear that day. Two years of hard work boiled down to that single scroll!

I suppose now it’s time to amend my “About” page!

My results actually came out first week of December, two weeks before the graduation ceremony. Leading up to the big day, I was overcome with anxiety. Ok, so now I have my degree, what now? My average isn’t spectacular, but they just got me over the line for a PhD at my school. I do know that I want and need a PhD. After all, I want to carve out a career in research and academia. But do I want to dive straight into a PhD? Four years of commitment to one single subject? I am not a commitment phobe, but I am not trusting my own abilities to stick to the same thing for such an extended period of time.

This is where my marathon ambitions came into the picture.

Running 42.195 kms is a big deal. It requires dedication, discipline and hard work. It would for me, anyways. And I have decided that 2013 will mark my marathon debut. Gosh, I make it sound like I am an elite athlete. I know I have only been running for about a year and that I am slow and need to put in more time and effort in upping my mileage and getting faster. So initially I had my mind set on the Gold Coast marathon, which is usually held in July. Plenty of time to train, and there are two half marathons leading up to that. Doable, right?

But then, just before graduation, I had a change of heart. Why not run the Canberra marathon in April? I have a decent weekly base of about 40 km, so that’s something I can work with. I need the personal challenge – I need to see if I am committed enough (see, there you have the keyword there – commitment) to stick to a multiple week training plan to reach a goal that is not necessarily within sight (more than a couple months away). Besides, I want to experience a full marathon in this city I currently call home. This might be a bit rushed, but the truth is, 2013 might be my last chance to run the Canberra marathon.

So, I thought, why not?

Better yet: I have tied my PhD plans to my marathon ambitions. I have decided that in the weeks it would take for me to shape up and get ready for my 42.195km ordeal, I would take time to also reflect and research on and refine the topic that I want to pursue my PhD in and I will submit my application AFTER I had crossed the finish line of my first marathon.

All signed up! There is no backing out of this one!

And by the way training plan, I decided to go for the Runner’s World 16-week plan published in the December 2012  issue (AU). Will tell you more about my training plan in my next post (and how my first week went!).

A sneak peek at the RW 16-week marathon training plan.

So, in a nutshell, 2013 will be my year of:

1. Research – Applying for PhD, getting my Master research paper in a decent shape for it to get published;

2. Running – a full marathon (or two???);

3. Getting organized – plan my meals, my training, my life! And stick to it.

It will no doubt be the year I push my body and mind to the limit and the year I rise above my perceived shortcomings. This will be the year I try and embrace new approaches and new ways to achieve my goals. And this will be the year to break my worst enemies: disorganization and procrastination.

Finally, I have put together a motivational board for 2013, which now hangs right over my large mirror right next to the bathroom. Whenever I walk out of the bathroom to examine myself in the morning, I stare right into it.

Started out as an arts and crafts project for my Miss 2. She lost interest, and instead putting together an ABC collage, I came up with this!

Here’s to a fantastic 2013! What are your 2013 resolutions, intentions, or goals?